Arsenal Snap Up £10m Everton Midfielder Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has made a deadline-beating move to Arsenal, as Arsene Wenger left it late to salvage his summer.

Arteta, 29, reduced his contract demands and asked to leave Everton to force through a dream £10million move, and by doing so restored some pride after a painful few months at the Emirates.

Everton boss David Moyes said: “Mikel indicated to me that he wished to join Arsenal. I am very disappointed to lose him, but the prospect of Champions League football was something I wasn’t able to offer him.”

SOURCE: Daily Mirror

Arsene Wenger has snapped up the Toffees midfielder after an initial offer was turned down by Everton the Spaniard then forced the issue by handing in a transfer request and Mikel Arteta then left the Merseyside club with little option other than to accept the Arsenal offer.

The former Rangers man has given his all during his six and a half years at Everton, notching up just shy of 200 appearances and becoming a cult hero at the club.

David Moyes will be sad to see the 29 year old leave but can probably see the reason why at his age Arteta felt that a move to Arsenal would be the best thing for his personal development. The offer of Champions League Football will appeal to the San Sebastian born midfielder and perhaps a chance of a first full Spanish international cap?